Brandon Marshall returns to practice

Channing Crowder sidelined

December 1, 2010|By Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins got one injured starter back when leading receiver Brandon Marshall participated in Wednesday's practice, but it appears the team might have to face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday without one of it's top linebackers.

Channing Crowder, who missed the first four games of this season because of a groin inside, sat out Wednesday's practice with an undisclosed injury. However, Crowder was wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg.

Tim Dobbins was paired with Karlos Dansby as the Dolphins' two starting inside linebackers. The Dolphins also added two inside linebacker to the practice squad, signing West Virginia's Mortty Ivy and re-signing J.D. Folsom, the team's seventh-round pick in 2009. Micah Johnson was waived from the practice squad to make space for Folsom, who is familiar with the Dolphins' defensive scheme and is a strong special teams contributor.

Crowder's status for Sunday's game likely depends on how much practice he participates in. This season Crowder's contributed 22 tackles (18 solo) and has deflected one pass in his seven games.

As for Marshall, who missed last Sunday's 33-17 win over Oakland because of a right hamstring injury he suffered in the Nov. 18 loss to Chicago, the team's alpha receiver ran without a noticeable limp during the portion of practice open to the media.

Marshall, whose 58 receptions for 693 yards leads the team, has been plagued by hamstring injuries his entire NFL career. He sat out all of last week's practice while receiving around the clock treatment.

Without Marshall the Dolphins passing game accounted for 307 yards and two touchdowns through the air, but that was against an injury-depleted Oakland secondary.